Probably would be best to introduce Bruce Banner's lawyer cousin in a Hulk sequel movie, maybe with her near death and origin as the She-Hulk as a big turnaround moment in the movie. It could work. But... I won't get my hopes up.

First story of interest my latest Marla Allison story, "Growing for the Gold". It's a 10 pager with Marla using her giantess superpowers for petty, personal reasons (not exactly shocking, for her character. )

I've seen some of the preview pages of the Marla story, with art by Dan Gorman, and I'm liking how it looks.

some preview and behind the scenes development of "Growing for the Gold" were posted by AC in this article:

I bought a print of a picture of the 11th Doctor and Amy Pond which was really well done. After sitting across from the pic on display the whole con, couldn't resist. Bought it from Rachel Kaiser, who's a really talented illustrator.

Also bought a copy of the first printed collection of the webcomic Punching the Clock. Rob Humphrey, one of the co-creators, did a great job organizing the con. And they were in the Artist Alley right behind me. (See a pattern of how proximity was increasing my purchases?)

Was a bummer that a few weeks before the con, Gail Simone cancelled. Hope they can get her in future years.

Talked to a few people throughout the con. Fair number of people stopped by and asked questions, browsed comics. As a writer I don't have the same immediate visual draw as an artist who can put samples that might "grab" passer-bys. Although, I did notice a lot of eyes being caught by Stephanie Heike's cover to Gargantarama #5 (flipside cover to FemForce #141): http://www.accomics.com/shop-femforce-101-and-beyond/femforce-141/ ;

I do think foot traffic was down a bit on Sunday, due to a huge storm that hit Traverse City that morning, taking out power in some areas, even blowing trees into the roads. I think a lot people just stayed home.

Got a fair amount of writing done while sitting behind the booth. Handwrote a script for a 12 page comic story, and outlined about 5 other stories (give or take). Might be a surge in my submissions to AC soon.

On Sunday I put 5 bucks into the "please donate a dollar" fundraiser for the Autism Research Newtork at the con, and won 1st price in the Raffle!

Prize was a piece of original Ryan Stegman art, already framed. Most cool. It's a He-Man riding Battle Cat.

It's a great charity that helps support elderly comic book creators with a safety net.

A lot of the great comic book creators of years past don't get to share in the bounty of royalties and residuals from the latest movie mega-hit or toy tie-in, because back in those days, the creators and creative types were "work-for-hire" and there was no way for them to get "a piece of the pie". Plus they were freelancers of a sort. That type of work has it's benefits, but it also means no pension plan, etc in most cases.

Given the huge success of The Avengers in the past two weeks, it's good to take a moment and realize a lot of people who helped build companies like Marvel, and laid the groundwork for the rich continuity that made this movie possible, didn't share in the big financial windfall. I'm sure most of them have few regrets, and love the time they spent and what they accomplished. But, some of them find themselves in tough positions later in life, and that's what the Hero Initiative is for, providing a safety net.

They take donations, but they also sell some cool comic books and merchandise.

So, if you like comic books, browse the store, see if you see something you like.

Times are tight for everyone, so, of course, not everyone can donate, shop the store, or buy a membership. But, consider spreading the word about this charity a little among fellow comic book fans for superhero genre fans. With the Avengers breaking box office records, it's a good time to remember the older professional comic book creators who got us here.

And here's some preview pics to the 1-900-Giantess story on Eric Alan Nelson's DeviantArt page

(careful browsing around DeviantartArt, there's naked pictures and stuff. The more risque' pic of these two has everything strategically covered, though. Just warning that the rest of the site is Not Safe For Work)

The 85-year old retired couple who are part-owners of the hotel are neat to talk to. So many stories of WWII and similar times. Last night, Mr. Utt mentioned that at one point when they were living in Cambridge, they lived on the same block as Al Capp. So neat! (okay, that wouldn't excite many people my age, but I'm a comics geek).

I'm considering making 2012 a year to go to Conventions. I think it'd be good for getting out of the routine, and a little promotion of the ol' amateur comic book writing career.

Cons I'm considering for 2012

Motor City Comic Con, May 18-20th (some of the other midwest AC Comics creators might be there, plus I can stay with downstate Michigan friends) http://www.motorcitycomiccon.com/

Cherry Capital Con, Traverse City, MI, May 25-27. (gotta go to hometown con, plus Gail Simone will be there, and it's a good place for me to do an actual artist table.) http://www.facebook.com/cherrycapitalcon

CONvergence, Minneapolis-St.Paul, July 5th through 7th (theme is female creators and characters, so I might be good to represent FemForce there.) http://www.convergence-con.org/

Might not be able to make it to all three, but I'm pondering what I can do this year.

Just a quick screenshot to document a milestone of playing City of Heroes. As of 1/20/12, this badge total of 1306 represents ALL the badges in CoH that I could possibly get. (everything but Bug Hunter and Passport, which are kinda special circumstances badges)

Maybe this me announcing to the world that I have no life. So be it.

So, FemFury is done and complete. Until Issue 22 comes out, with new content and new badges. But, for now, DONE!

This puts me currently as one of 10 people tracked on the City Info Tracker fan website who's completed collecting all these shiny virtual badges.

City Info Tracker leaderboard is here, if you want to see my CoH avatar's name "in lights":

Looks like the AC comics people finished the printing and shipped the print run to Diamond Distribution on Friday, so expect the issue to show up in local comic stores in about a month or a little more? (Hard for me to say, I'm on the writing side, not sure what the shipping delay really is).